Combination traveling block and swivel connection



y 1950 B. c. CHRISTENSEN 2,508,595

COMBINATION TRAVELING BLOCK AND SWIVEL CONNECTION Filed July 31, 1946 +2; 1 I 66 a z o I l0 0 0 g; 23 29 2o 3/ 4 34 22 l? 35 3 l4 1 v 2 58 i i 9 I 3 s /6 /7 5 w 6' 64 I l5 a 4/ 1 70 s i "2% 72 g 43 66 llljil li; 7 2'5 INVENTOR.

Patented May 2 3, 195

COMBINATION TRAVELING BLOCK AND SWIVEL CONNECTION Byron C. Christensen, Oklahoma City, Okla.

Application July 31, 1946, Serial No. 687,311

This invention relates to a combination traveling block and swivel connection used in the tackle mechanism for handling strings of drill pipe, casing and the like in a rotary drilling rig.

The ordinary traveling block and its connection with the bail of a swivel head on the drill pipe is of considerable combined length so that it limits the ultimate height that the drill pipe can be raised within the derrick without striking of the traveling block against the crown pulley of the derrick. It is often desirable to obtain a slightly higher lift of the drill string, but with the high speed operation of the drawworks, it is difiicult for the driller to accurately observe the position of the traveling block as it approaches the crown block of the derrick. Consequently, to avoid accidents, it is impossible to effectively utilize the height of a given derrick.

Another objectionable feature particularly in portable rigs is that the total height of the derrick or mast that can be transported over State highways is limited. Thus, to avoid a sectional derrick, the height of such derricks is kept within the maximum length of the load that can be transported over highways without special permits. Therefore, when present traveling blocks are used, the lift that can be safely effectedis not sufiicient to handle the desired stands of drill pipe within the derrick or mast.

In view of the above, the principal objects of the present invention are to provide a combined traveling block and swivel connection that is compact and considerably shorter in length so as to permit handling of longer stands of drill pipe in a given height derrick Other objects of the invention are to provide a combined traveling block and swivel connection that is of streamlined shape which has fewer parts and promotes safety in handling longer stands of drill pipe.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention hereinafter pointed out, I have provided improved structure, the preferred form of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a combined traveling block and swivel connection member with a part of the body broken away to better illustrate the swivel bushing and lock therefor.

Fig. 2 is a central vertical section on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Referring more in detail to the drawing;

I designates a combined traveling block and swivel connection member constructed in accord- 7 Claims. (01. 254-195) ance with the present invention and which includes a body 2 and a swivel connection member 3 adapted for connection with the bails of an elevator, swivel head or the like used in supporting drill pipe or kelly rod of a drilling string.

The body 2 is preferably constructed of a single part having a streamlined shape and which has a head portion 4 having sides 5 and 6 diverging outwardly from an integral neck portion 1 on reverse curves 8 and 9 to merge with a substantially semi-cylindrical top portion Ill that has its axis arranged transversely of the longitudinal axis of the body and which has the rounding thereof merging into sides I2 and I3 converging into the neck portion I. The sides 5 and B at the top portion 4 may be crowned outwardly as shown in Fig. 2 and the lower portions of the sides 5 and 5 also merge into the substantially cylindrical neck portion I.

Extending transversely between the sides I2 and I3 and in spaced relation with the sides 5 and 6 of the body are partitions I4 and I5 to provide sheave compartments I6 and I1 symmetrically arranged on the respective sides of a central compartment I8 opening through the neck I. The partitions are interconnected by a sleevelike spacer I9 substantially coaxial with the axis of the top portion 4 of the body and. which registers with openings 25 and 2| in the sides 5 and 6 to accommodate a sheave mounting pin or shaft 22 later described. The partition portions of the block are also preferably interconnected above the spacing sleeve 5 by a web 23 carrying a loop or eye 24 for passing a line or facilitate handling of the block. The opening 25 to the compartment I8 is cylindrical in shape and is internally threaded as at 26 for mounting a bearing retaining collar 21.

Mounted in the sheave compartments I6- and I! are sheaves 28 and 29 which are of slightly less diameter than the top of the block body so as to avoid projection of the peripheral portions of the sheaves. The sheaves have hubs 30 mounted on anti-friction bearings 3| carried on the pin 22. The outer ends of the pin 22 are threaded as at 32 and 33 to mount retaining nuts 34 and 35 that are secured by lock washers 36. To avoid projection of the ends of the pins and retaining nuts, the ends of the pins terminate substantially in plane with the outer faces of the sides 5 and 6 and the nuts are mounted in recesses 38 and 39 as best shown in Fig. 2. The connection member 3 illustrated in the drawing comprises a hook 40 of the safety type although the hook may be substituted by a clevis. or other 3 means for attachment without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The connection member 3 includes a stem 4| preferably of polygonal cross section and which is adapted to reciprocate within a correspondingly shaped opening 42 in a swivel bushing 43. The swivel bushing has a sleeve-like portion 414 journalled within an axial opening 15 in the retaining collar 2!v and which has, a circumferential flange d6 of "a diameter to freely rotate within the cylindrical opening of the neck I and to provide a shoulder '5 for seating upon the upper race of a thrust bearing is seated in a counterbore =39 in the upper face of the retaining collar 2'! as best shown in Fig. 2. The upper end of the bushing terminates in a spring guide 59 projecting from the flange it. The spring guide is of substantially circular shape and has an inner diameter to receive a stop 52 on the stem and provide a stop shoulder 53 therefor when a shock absorbing spring 54 is compressed under the jerk resulting bysudden application of power to lift a drilling string with which the travelingeblock is adapted to. be connected. The spring 54v comprises acoil sleeved over the stem and has one end engaging on. the seat 4! and its upper end seating against a flange 575 on a retaining nut '55 that is adjustably mounted on a threaded terminalfil'of the stem. The retaining nut after bein mounted. on. the em maybe secured by a cotter pin or the like 58. The other end of the stem has a: thr aded terminal 59 projecting from the swivelbushing and which is engaged in a threaded s ket 613 o the c nne ting mem er 3- To further secure the connecting member, a pin 6; may be. assed thr u t ister ng openin s 62 and 53 in the member 3'and threaded term nalfia es t y- V i To retain the lubricant for the thrust bearing the opening around the swivel bushing is preferbly l sed by an. o l s n 6. set Within a shoulder 55 formed in the lower end of the retaining collar as shown in Fig. 2. The swivel bus ing projects slightly through the collar so as to: form an abutment/{for the member 3- and r to permit free swivelling thereof on the thrust bearing "48 under actionof the spring 5?, so that the drill pipe can be rotated while suspended without twisting of the tackle cable 66 that extends around the sheaves when the traveling were i Attimes-it may be desirable to lock the-connecting member 3 from swivelling with respect to. thefbo'dy or the block. This is effected by providing the flange 46 with circumferentially spa'ceclinotches orrecesses 61 that extend transve'r'se1y across the flange and which are adapted to receive a lock lever 68' carried'within a lateral recess'69 formed within a lateral extension H1 of the neck I. The extension H! is suitably rounded andstreamlined. The latch is adapted to be moved into and out of engagement with one-f the notches 61 by a handle H fixed to an endof the'shaftgllwhich mounts the lever 68, the shaft being pivot-ally mounted in opposite Walls of the extension "70 with one end projectingfrom a: wall thereof to mount the handle 1|.

In assembling the device constructed as described, the pulleys 23 and 29 are inserted into their respective compartments I5 and I7 throng the openings 13 in the side faces [-2 and I 3 so that bearings 3| in the hubs 30 thereof register with the openingsili and 2|. The pin 22 is then passed therethrough andsecured in position by application of lock washers 36 and the retaining nuts 3* and-'35; The retaining collar 21 and all) or mast (not shown).

thrust bearing 48 together with the sealing ring 64 is applied to the sleeve-like body 44 of the swivel bushing 43. The squared portion of the stem 4| is passed through the opening 42 in the swivel bushing 43 after which the member 3 is mounted on the threaded terminal 59' thereof and secured by the pin 63. The spring 59 is then sleeved over the opposite end of. the stem and the nut 56 is. applied to compress the sprin 5d and draw the shoulder 75 ofthe member 3 against the end of the swivel bushing 43. The end completed unit is then inserted by passing the stem assembly through the neck I so that the spring assembly is housed between the partitions l4 and I5 in lapping relation with the sheaves 28 and 29 as shown in Fig. 2. The retaining collar 2'! is then threaded into the open end of the neck 'i'. In using the device, the tackle cable 66 is threaded around the sheaves 28 and 29 and about the sheaves of the crown pulleys of the derrick The" hook member 3 is connected with thebail ofthe elevator'or swivel head (also not shown) inaccordance with drilling practices. 1

When the loadof the drilling string is lifted, the spring 54; provides resiliency: sufficientto avoid damage to the, tackle by the sudden jerk when the power is applied to the cable :66.

While I have illustrated a travelin rblock with only w sh aves, it is obvious that the, block may be provided with additional sheavos y kin e. ompartme ts;sufiicientlywide to ac mmodate them. p l 7 r m h f oin i s: obv ous hat I hav pro ide omb nation tackle, b ock and swivel connection that is streamlined, compact in; construction, and because of the unitary construction is of substantially shorter; length; for exam: ple, as much as thirty percent-of thelength of a r i r r v n 0 1; a d on ect ons. required to connect the block with; the bail of the apparatus to be raised and lowered; b the tackle,

tis also Qbvi us hatsince he,dev ce isof substantially short length, longer length-strands of ipe may beh nd din a: give e ht de k- It is also obvious that the smooth form and reamlined ar c er o he-d v ce v idsw D S- sibility of hanging up of; thedevice on a part of the derrick or other obstruction and thereby v d the Po s, h li f acci e ts; Thevstredminfid and m a uct re also p omo s isib ity n athg e at ositio o th r v i block to the crown pulleyof the derrick when h aq il s r sl m. her nit ruc also results in fewer parts anda-dighter weight device capable of handling the required load.

'What I claimanddesireto secure by-Letters Batent iszj V 7 e 1- A de ce of he har er-descr edinc r ing a body member having sheave Com artments disposed at one end of thegbody member on; opposite sides of an intermediate compartment extending through the opposite; endof the body member with partitions dividingsaid compart ments,'sheaves in the sheave compartments, a transverse shaft supported bysaid partitionsvand having ends retained in adjacent; opposite sides ofthe body member for. rotatably mounting the sheaves, a connectingmemberatthe open end of thelintermediate compart ent, a stem on: the connecting member extending into the intermediate compartment and terminating in the intermediate compartmentadj'acent'said shaft' means, a swivel bushing journall'edin the openfendfo f'the intermediate compartment ;for Si bl ,a spring having one end seated against the, swivel .bushing, and a spring seat on the stem for seating the other end of the spring at said terminal end of the stem.

-2. A traveling block including a body member having sheave compartments disposed at one end of the body member on opposite sides of an inter- 'mediate compartment opening through the opposite end of the body member, sheaves in the sheave compartments, shaft means carried by the body member and extending a'crossthe sheavecompartments for rotatably mounting the sheaves in said compartments, 'a retaining collar carried by the body member in the open end of the intermediate compartment, a swivel bushing journalled in the retaining collar and having one end projecting ,from thebody member and a sleeve-like head on'the other end to form a spring seat and provide support of the swivel bushing on said retaining collar, 9, connecting member having a shoulder seating against the projecting end of the swivel bushing, a stem on the connecting member extending through the swivel bushing and terminating in the intermediate compartment near the axis of rotation Of the sheaves, a spring seat on the stem, and a spring engaging between said seats to normally retain said shoulder in contact with the projecting end of the swivel bushing and to provide a resilient support of load on the body member when a load is applied to the connecting member.

3. A traveling block including a body member having sheave compartments disposed at one end of the body member on opposite sides of an intermediate compartment opening through the opposite end of the body member, sheaves in the sheave compartments, shaft means carried by the body member and extending across the sheave compartments for rotatably mounting the sheaves in said compartments, a retaining collar carried by the body member in the open end of the intermediate compartment, a swivel bushing journalled in the retaining collar and having one end projecting from the body member and a sleeve-like head on the other end to form a spring seat and provide support of the swivel bushing on said retaining collar, a connecting member having a shoulder seating against the projecting end of the swivel bushing, a stem on the connecting member having non-rotatable sliding support in the swivel bushing and terminating in the intermediate compartment near the axis of rotation of the sheaves, a spring seat on the stem, a spring engaging between said seats to normally retain said shoulder in contact with the projecting end of the swivel bushing and to provide a resilient support of a load on the body member when a load is applied to the connecting member, and latch means between the swivel head and body member to selectively prevent relative rotation between the body and connecting members.

4. A traveling block including a body member having sheave compartments disposed at one end of the body member on opposite sides of an intermediate compartment opening through the opposite end of the body member, sheaves in the sheave compartments, shaft means carried by the body member and extending across th sheave compartments for rotatably mounting the sheaves in said compartment, a retaining collar carried by the body member in the open end of the intermediate compartment, a swivel bushing mounted in the retaining collar and having one end projecting from the body member and a sleeve-like head on the other end to form a spring seat, a connecting member having a shoulder for seating against the projecting end of the swivel bushing, a stem on the connecting member havin non-rotatable sliding support in the swivel bushin and terminating in the intermediate compartment near the axis of rotation of the sheaves,

a spring seat on the stem, a spring engaging be tween said seats to normally retain said shoulder in contact with the projecting end of the swivel bushing and to provide resilient support of a load on the body member when a load is applied to the connecting member, and an anti-friction bearing between the head on the swivel bushing and theretaining collar to facilitate swivelling ofthe connecting member under said load.

5. A traveling block including a body member having sheave compartments disposed at one end of the body member on opposite sides of an intermediate compartment opening through the opposite end of the body member, sheaves in the sheave compartments, shaft means carried by the body member and extending across the sheave compartments for rotatably mounting the sheaves in said compartment, a retainin collar carried by the body member in the open end of the intermediate compartment, a swivel bushing mounted in the retaining collar and having on end projecting from the body member and a sleeve-like head on the other end to form a spring seat and provide support of the swivel bushing on said retaining collar, a connecting member having a shoulder for seating against the projecting end of the swivel bushing, a stem on the connecting member extending through the swivel bushing and terminating in the intermediate compartment near the axis of rotation of the sheaves, a spring seat on the stem, a spring engaging between said seats to normally retain said shoulder in contact with the projecting end of the swivel bushing, said stem and swivel bushing having interengaging portions for preventing relative rotation of the stem and swivel bushing when the swivel bushing swivels in said retaining collar, an anti-friction bearing between the head on the swivel bushing and the retaining collar, and a stop collar on the stem spaced above said head when said shoulder is in contact with the swivel for engaging said head end of the swivel bushing to limit axial movement of the connector with respect to the body member.

6. A traveling block including a body member having a compartment extending axially through one end of the body member, a retaining collar carried by the body member in the open end of said compartment, a swivel bushing mounted in the retaining collar and having one end projecting from the body member and a sleeve-like head on the other end to form a spring seat, a connecting member having a shoulder for seating against the projecting end of the swivel bushing, a stem on the connecting member extending through the swivel bushing and terminating in said compartment, a sprin seat on the stem, 8. spring engaging between said seats to normally retain said shoulder in contact with the projecting end of the swivel bushing, said stem and swivel bushing having interengaging portions for preventing relative rotation of the stem and swivel bushing when the swivel bushing swivels in said retaining collar, and an anti-friction bearing between the head on the swivel bushing and the retaining collar.

'7. A traveling block including a body member having a compartment extending axially through one end of the body member, a retaining collar carried by the body member in the open end 01 j's'aici conrpartment, a swivel bushing mounted in the retaining collar and having one end'projee'b in'g--'from the body member and a sleeve-like head on the other end to form a spring seat; a con- =necting member having a shoulder for seating against the projecting end of the swivel bushing,

' a stem on the conneeting member extending through the swivel bushing and terminating in said compartment, a springseat on the stem, a spring engaging between said seats to normally retain said shoulder in contact with the projecting end of the swivel bushing, said stem and swivel'bushing having interengaging portions for preventing relative rotation of the stem' and swivel bushing when the swivel bushing swivels in said retaining collargan anti friction bearing between the headon the swivel bushing and; the retaining collar, and latch means betweenthe bodymember and 'swivel heed to prevlelil f i'l aftive rotation between the body and connecting members. v BYRON wC. CHRISTENSEN.

7 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

